First paver project design

I am preparing my first paver project and looking for some advice on the design. Its a pretty simple design, they just want some more sitting area around the grill and possibly a place for a movable fire place. Could you guys critique a couple mock up designs I've done. Cost is a factor so I didnt get to fancy. Most likely will be using some sort of cobble look i.e. Anchor Kingston.

The first one will use a circle kit along with an area for the BBQ.
The second is a bit larger, simple concurve look.

Both with have a rectanglular soldier course.

My estimated cost of the circle design is roughly 2500.00
For the concurve its 3100.00 roughly

A few things:

-They have a deck with stairs leading to the yard. They do not want to move the steps (I told them this would be best) and want the patio on the right of the deck
- I was tossing around the idea of a 2-3' planting buffer between the deck and patio to hide the underside and footings of the deck, also to move people to the stairs instead of hopping off the deck (dont want Mr. to get cocky with a plate full of burgers and trip hopping up)
- There is a 2.5' overhang, I was thinking doing a 2.5 buffer of rock or mulch and some drought/shade tolerant perennials

Let me have it, these people are family friends also

These are really rough drawings, not ready to present but you get the picture

I prefer the second design. More usable SF
They need a second set of steps or move the existing.
Buffer area is a good idea
How many SF is each design and how is the access to the area? What equip do you have?Posted via Mobile Device

the existing deck is hideous. plopping a patio beside it will look tacky.

talk them into taking the deck down.

"It's You vs. You"

"People Throw Rocks At Things That Shine"

My Equipment Brag List:

-1 CAT hat
-16 pairs of Hanes socks (the Heavy Duty model), many with holes.
-12 pairs of underwear, ranging from Joe Boxers to Jockey, many are in need of replacement. (no more photo requests please)
-hundreds of t-shirts. Some w/ grease stains, some torn & tattered.
-7 pairs of jeans, ranging from Levis to Polo to GAP. 1/2 of them have holes in 'em.
-1 belt
-1 pair of old worn out Nike shoes.

and if the (hideous) deck must stay - then there should be steps built on the side of the deck (steps the same length as the deck) leading to the patio. the little 3-footers on the end have no architectural aspects

"It's You vs. You"

"People Throw Rocks At Things That Shine"

My Equipment Brag List:

-1 CAT hat
-16 pairs of Hanes socks (the Heavy Duty model), many with holes.
-12 pairs of underwear, ranging from Joe Boxers to Jockey, many are in need of replacement. (no more photo requests please)
-hundreds of t-shirts. Some w/ grease stains, some torn & tattered.
-7 pairs of jeans, ranging from Levis to Polo to GAP. 1/2 of them have holes in 'em.
-1 belt
-1 pair of old worn out Nike shoes.

Ill try to sell them on new steps, taking down the deck would be uneconomical for them unfortunatly. Luckily they know its hideous and are going to paint it so trying to sell them on new steps shouldn't be to hard. Also helps i have a friend that does decking even though steps wouldnt be to hard. Then maybe even cutting the walkway to save them $$ (make up for the steps if they wanted)

I beleive the concurved design would be 180 sf w/o the walk, 160sf ish with the buffer. The one reason i like the buffer is you can see below the deck quite easily

Question. If you ended up doing a simple 4' wide step (i know, ugly) do you build around the step or build under the step?

-1 CAT hat
-16 pairs of Hanes socks (the Heavy Duty model), many with holes.
-12 pairs of underwear, ranging from Joe Boxers to Jockey, many are in need of replacement. (no more photo requests please)
-hundreds of t-shirts. Some w/ grease stains, some torn & tattered.
-7 pairs of jeans, ranging from Levis to Polo to GAP. 1/2 of them have holes in 'em.
-1 belt
-1 pair of old worn out Nike shoes.